World Briefing | Europe: Britain: Pigeons Under Suspicion Of Doping

Published: September 11, 2004

Britain's racing pigeons are being subjected to random drug tests as the sport's ruling body clamps down after complaints that some birds have been given steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. The Royal Pigeon Racing Association has sent test kits to 60 pigeon race organizers across the country, where pigeon racers number about 55,000. ''Just like any other sport, there is a suspected small, determined band of cheats who are spoiling things for other owners,'' said Peter Bryant, the association's general manager. ''It is sad that it has come to this, but it is the only way we are going to know if the sport is clean.''